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or purchase, on behalf of the continent, from the militia within the said states, respectively, as many good and sufficient arms as can possibly be procured.

Ordered, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.

A petition from Jacob Haymaker was read, praying to be allowed a compensation for some horses stolen from him by the Indians:

On the question put, to comply with the prayer of the petition,-Carried in the negative.

The committee to whom the state of the North-Carolina prisoners was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Where

upon,

Resolved, That the prisoners from North-Carolina, now in prison, or under guard in Baltimore, be put upon their parole, and engaged to continue at Fredericktown, in Maryland, or within one mile of it, till the farther order of Congress.

Ordered, That the committee who brought in the report, carry the resolution into execution, and take such security of the prisoners, for the faithful observance of their parole, as the said committee think proper:

Congress being informed that a quantity of woollens are brought into the port of Baltimore, by a privateer belonging to the state of New-York, which are fit for the army, and immediately necessary for clothing and supplying the new raised levies;

Resolved, That the board of war be directed to appoint proper persons to appraise the said woollens, in order that the value of the same may be paid to the state of New-York, or that a like quantity of woollens be supplied that state from the clothier-general; and that the board of war give directions for having the cloth, thus obtained, made up as quickly as possible into soldiers' clothes.

The committee on the post-office brought in a report, which was read: Ordered, To lie on the table.

Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on deserters; and, thereupon, came to the following resolutions:

To the end, that the most speedy stop may be put to the pernicious and unsoldierly practice of deserting, and that such offenders who receive the public money for services that they design not to perform, may be certainly and speedily carried back to the corps they have deserted from, it is earnestly recommended to the committees of observation or inspection in these United States, that they cause diligent enquiry to be made, in their respective counties or districts, for all deserters that may be lurking or harbored therein, and cause such, whenever found, to be immediately secured, and conveyed to the nearest continental officer; and all such officers are hereby directed to receive and secure such deserters, that they may be safely delivered to their respective regiments, and brought to a speedy trial and exemplary punishment; and farther, to pay to the persons delivering such deserters, eight dollars for each deserter so brought and delivered, and 12-90ths of a dollar in lieu of expenses for every mile from the place where the deserter was taken up to the place where he is delivered to the officer.

Ordered, That the foregoing resolve, and the 1st, 2d, and 3d articles of the 6th section of the articles of war, be published in the several news-papers for six months, and also, that 300 copies be printed in hand-bills, and sent to camp, to be distributed among the officers.

On an application from two officers of the 2d and 7th Virginia battalions, who were left behind to bring up the baggage of their respective battalions, and from a surgeon's mate belonging to the 2d battalion, for two months' pay for themselves and the men with them, to enable them to proceed to

camp,

Ordered, That they apply to Jonathan Hudson, esq. and that he pay the said officers and men two months' pay; and transmit an account thereof to the general, and to the pay-master general.

Ordered, That Mr. Witherspoon have leave of absence.

Resolved, That 3000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Georgia, for the use of that state; the said state to be accountable.

Ordered, That Mr. Sergeant have leave of absence, for the recovery of his health.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That Mons. Regnier de Roussi be allowed the rank and pay of a lieutenant-colonel from the 12th day of January, 1777, and be referred for future employment to general Washington.

The committee of treasury reported, that there is due,

To Dr. Benjamin Rush, for sundry medicines and attendance to sick soldiers and prisoners, 473.18 dollars:

To Richard Stockton, esq. and to be paid to Dr. Benjamin Rush, for the hire of two horses, a sulkey, &c. for his journey to Ticonderoga last fall, by order of Congress, 151.30 dollars:

To capt. James Cox, for the pay of a guard of militia to the treasury, and prisoners, and for candles for the use of the guard, 104.42 dollars:

That there should be paid to Samuel Purviance, esq. 147.87 dollars, the amount of George Pressman's account for plaistering done by him in the court-house in Baltimore, and for nails, wood, &c. which work was done to accommodate Congress :

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

It being represented to Congress, that profaneness in general, and particularly cursing and swearing, shamefully prevail in the army of the United States,

Resolved, That general Washington be informed of this; and that he be requested to take the most proper measures, in concert with his general officers, for reforming this abuse.

Resolved, That the order for adjourning to Philadelphia be suspended.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, February 26, 1777.

Resolved, That William Spear be appointed a superintendent of the press, in addition to those already appointed.

Resolved, That 3000 dollars be paid to colonel Stephen Moylan, for the purpose of recruiting his regiment, agreeable to the tenor of a warrant from general Washington, as certified by an order, signed by the committee of Congress, dated Philadelphia, February 18, 1777.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration ; Whereupon,

Resolved, That 100 dollars be advanced to Thomas Edgar, conductor of a brigade of wagons, laden with the baggage of the 2d and 7th Virginia regiments; he to be accountable.

Congress resumed the consideration of the rate of interest to be allowed on the sums of money ordered to be borrowed; Whereupon,

Resolved, That an interest of 6 per cent. per annum be allowed on all sums of money already borrowed, and directed to be borrowed on loan-office certificates, although such certificates mention only an interest of 4 per cent.

per annum.

Resolved, That the interest on the prizes, drawn in the continental lottery, shall remain at 4 per cent.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures of the several states,

not to offer or give more than at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum upon any monies to be borrowed in their respective loan-offices.

Resolved, That 1000 dollars be advanced to major Ottendorff, for the purpose of recruiting his corps; he to be accountable.

The committee on the treasury reported,

That there is due to Peter Galaway, for riding express to Chincotigue with orders to captain Baldwin, 52 dollars:

To Catharine Heydshaw, for lodging, firing, candles, and for dieting Hessian prisoners from the 29th of January to the 25th of February inclusive, 29.78 dollars:

To Henry Bradford, for furnishing lodging and fuel to 126 of the Virginia troops, 3.30 dollars:

To Joseph Stiles, for hay and oats to captain. Yauncy's squadron of lighthorse, on their march from Virginia to join general Washington, 48.4 dollars:

To Robert Talbot, for victualling 48 men of the Virginia troops, 6.36 dollars:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on ways and means; Whereupon,

Resolved, That the sum of five millions of dollars, in bills on the credit of the United States, of the same tenor and denominations as the last emission, be forthwith emitted under the direction of the board of treasury.

Resolved, That the farther consideration of the report be postponed.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow.

THURSDAY, February 27, 1777.

A letter, of the 17th, from colonel George Morgan, at Pittsburg, was read; Ordered, That the messenger who brought the letter be introduced.

Resolved, That 10,000 dollars be advanced to Mr. John Boreman, and charged to the account of colonel George Morgan, for the purpose of laying in provisions for the public service at Fort-Pitt.

The medical committee, to whom the report on the hospital was re-committed, brought in a report, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That when Congress adjourns this evening, it be adjourned to meet at Philadelphia, on Wednesday next.

Resolved, That 40,000 dollars be paid to the delegates of Maryland, for the use of the state of Maryland, the said state to be accountable:

That 3000 dollars be advanced to the delegates of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of recruiting colonel Hand's battalion, and that the said sum be charged to the account of the state of Pennsylvania.

Whereas the sum of 2000 dollars was ordered on the 9th of December last, to be advanced to the delegates of New-Jersey, for the public service, for which they were to be accountable; and whereas, the said sum has not yet been advanced, and the business for which it was intended, is performed: Ordered, That no warrant be drawn in pursuance of the order aforesaid. Resolved, That 500,000 dollars be advanced to the state of South-Carolina, for public service; the said state to be accountable.

Mr. Anderson, the messenger, who brought the letter from colonel Morgan, being introduced, gave an account of the state of Indian affairs to the westward of the Ohio, and withdrew.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several legislatures of the United States, immediately to pass laws the most effectual for putting an immediate stop to the pernicious practice of distilling grain, by which the most extensive evils are likely to be derived, if not quickly prevented.

The committee of treasury reported,

That there should be advanced to John Griffith, for sundry provisions, and other necessaries furnished by him for the use of the hospital in Baltimore, 533 30 dollars:

Ordered, That the said sum be paid.

The board of war brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,

Resolved, That two months' pay be advanced by Jonathan Hudson, esq. to a detachment of the 2d and 7th Virginia regiments, under the command of captain Joseph Spencer.

The committee, to whom a motion of Mr. Clark was referred, brought in a report, which was read:

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The committee on Indian affairs, brought in a report, which was read: Ordered, To lie on the table.

Resolved, That the governor and council of Virginia be desired to consider the propriety of ordering an expedition from the western frontier of that state against the settlement of Indians west of the river Ohio, commonly known by the name of Pluggy's town, and if the said governor and council shall be of opinion, that such an expedition is proper and conducive to the public weal, they are desired to direct the same to be undertaken and executed by their frontier militia, on terms the most frugal and effectual, taking the best precaution in conducting this expedition, not to give offence to any nations of Indians, in friendship with the United States:

That a copy of the information from colonel G. Morgan, concerning Indian affairs, be transmitted to the governor and council of Virginia. The committee on the treasury, reported,

That there is due to James Long, for attending as door-keeper to Congress, from the 23d of December, 1776, to this day, 67 dollars:

Ordered, That the same be paid.

Resolved, That the sum of £2859 2 9, dollars at 8s each, be paid to Messrs. Graverod & Visgar, the same being in full of an order in their favor, drawn by colonel G. Morgan, dated Fort-Pitt, February 8, 1777, for goods purchased from them by order of Congress.

Resolved, That William Lux, James Colhoun and David Stewart be appointed to appraise the woollens brought into the port of Baltimore, by the privateer belonging to the state of New-York:

That the clothes and linens when appraised, be delivered to Messrs. Samuel & Robert Purviance, who are directed to have them made up, and to deliver 200 suits of clothes, and 693 shirts, to the delegates of Maryland, to be charged to that state, and the residue to the Virginia troops, transmitting an account to the clothier-general.

Resolved, That 20,000 dollars be advanced to Jonathan Hudson, esq. for public service, he to be accountable.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o'clock on Wednesday next, to meet at the state-house in Philadelphia.

During the adjournment, the board of treasury reported to the president, that there should be paid to captain W. Galbreath, for expenses of a guard over the Carolina prisoners, &c. 194 22 dollars:

And a bill having been drawn by a committee of Congress in Philadelphia, dated February 18, 1777, in favor of col. Stephen Moylan, for 3000 dollars for recruiting his regiment, agreeable to an order from general Washington; which bill was endorsed to and presented by Mr. W. Lux:

And another bill, being drawn by the said committee at Philadelphia, February 18, 1777, in favor of the said col. Stephen Moylan, for 3000 dollars,

for the purpose of recruiting his regiment, and the same being endorsed to, and presented by captain David Plunket, the president ordered the payment, and reported the same to Congress on the 24th of March, and the same was confirmed.

Congress being adjourned on the 4th, and from thence, from day to day,

met on business.

WEDNESDAY, March 12, 1777.

The delegates of Pennsylvania produced credentials of their appointment, which were read as follows:

"This may certify Congress, that the following gentlemen were duly elected in and by a full house of the general assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to serve as delegates in the Continental Congress for the present year, to wit: Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Daniel Roberdeau, Jonathan B. Smith, George Clymer and James Wilson. Witness my hand, the 10th of March, 1777.

(Signed)

JOHN JACOBS, Speaker."

The delegates of Massachusetts-Bay laid before Congress farther powers received from their constituents, which were read as follows:

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"STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, February 4, 1777. Whereas, the commission given the delegates in Congress, representing this state, by a resolve of the 10th of December last, confines the exercise of their representation and powers to any three or more of them, from which many inconveniencies may arise, and their vote in Congress may be lost on any question, when only two are present; and one may controul two when three are present, and the same effect take place: It is, therefore, Resolved, That any two or more of the said delegates, representing this state in Congress, being the major part present, be, and hereby are, vested with all the powers with which any three or more of the said delegates were vested by the said resolve of the 10th of December last; and the secretary is hereby directed, as soon as may be, to furnish each of the delegates from this state with an attested copy of this resolve.

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«T. WARREN, Speaker.

IN COUNCIL, February 4, 1777, read and concurred.

"J. AVERY, Deputy Secretary."

Five letters from general Washington, viz. one of the 20th, one of the 23d, one of the 28th of February, and one of the 1st, and one of the 6th of March; four letters from general Schuyler, viz. one of the 4th, one of the 8th, one of the 15th, and one of the 24th of February; a memorial from baron de Arandt; a letter from gen. Gates, with a list of Canadian officers; one from Mr. Bowdoin, respecting Monsieur Faneuil; and one from John Vipschir; one from governor Henry, of Virginia; one from John Page, respecting two German officers; also, a letter from lieutenant-colonel John Brown, enclosing his commission resigned; one, of the Sd, from lord Stirling; one from general Stephens; and one from general Lincoln, acknowledging severally the receipt. of their commissions as major-generals; one from J. Cadwallader, declining his appointment as brigadier; one, of the 24th of February, from colonel Stewart, respecting the purchase of cannon, were read :

Ordered, That they be referred to the board of war.

A letter, of the 28th of February, from general Gates, was read, respecting the office of adjutant-general:

Ordered, That this be taken into consideration to-morrow.

An appeal being lodged from the judgment of the court of admiralty at Georgia, against the sloop Polly, captain Alexander M'Austan ;

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